[py0alb]

(Original post by KCosmo)
You didnt actually give one decent argument for driving manually, apart from some vague inference that it's "real driving". Why would I want to change the gears when a machine can do it for me? Driving manually isn't hard, but given the choice, I'd go automatic, it's just one less thing to think about

This sums it up nicely.

People who prefer to have less things to think about -> I recommend you use automatic. Actually, its probably safer if you don't drive at all if we're honest.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by Saif95)
Are they that lazy that they all drive automatic?

Yes, yes they are.

Don't get me wrong, some cars (classic Mustang for instance) are fine with an automatic but the rest of the cars are crap, plastic piles of junk to which the average American cannot concentrate for two seconds on driving a manual thus he needs the automatic.

Lazy sods.

[noisy06]

(Original post by tehFrance)
Yes, yes they are.

Don't get me wrong, some cars (classic Mustang for instance) are fine with an automatic but the rest of the cars are crap, plastic piles of junk to which the average American cannot concentrate for two seconds on driving a manual thus he needs the automatic.

Lazy sods.

That's a bit harsh. Let's face it, a car just needs to transport someone from A to B. If somebody doesn't have anything better to do than show off their driving or consider their driving to be the best than they basically have no life. I always like to imagine two people driving, one a manual and the other an automatic. But the manual driver is just a construction worker and the other one happens to be a rich senator. I know who I'd like to be. (I'm a manual driver btw ) I just don't see the fuss.

[Jockpest]

I like America and have nothing against automatics. My dad made a good point, that you can't push start an auto. I also like that a manual keeps my attention.

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

(Original post by Jevon177)
My friends American parents say its just easier than driving a manual. I agree, I want to pass my test in a manual and then drive an Automatic, its basically Go and Stop pedals and thats it.

I agree with this. I already passed my test a few months ago in a manual car, which I'm glad I did because at least I have that freedom of choice now, but I'm seriously considering getting an automatic car because I'm still pretty awful at changing gears and would probably only wear them out in no time lol!

I mean OP, why not make things easier for yourself if you can and and if you want to? You may as well say that anyone who drives a car is lazy compared to someone who chooses to walk a whole 6 mile journey regularly.

[Sly Blade]

(Original post by Danen)
all of these are not true, apart from 14, for some people.

Please elaborate.

[Danen]

(Original post by Sly Blade)
Please elaborate.

Whats there to elaborate? Automatics are more expensive, need more maintainance, are heavier and use more fuel than manuals.

[NYU2012]

(Original post by Danen)
no they are not. They are becoming as fuel efficient as manual cars. certainly not MORE efficient

You clearly aren't up-to-date on your car technology.

Due to the fast response time and intelligence of automatic transmissions, they make shifting more efficient - especially with the new 7 and 8 speed transmissions, they improve gas mileage.

And, of course, CVT transmissions are, in many cases, better than manuals.

[The Dark Lord]

One less reason to raise their fat arms...

[Lil Piranha]

I'd always wondered this, but I don't complain about it because when I go to the US it's one less thing to worry about when you're contending with having to drive on the wrong side of the road.

I also enjoy the awe when my US-based family visits the UK. It's like I'm driving a spaceship.

[mikeyd85]

(Original post by Saif95)
I mean how boring are automatic cars? All you do is accelerate and brake...and the car does the rest...you only drive 50% while in a manual you are ACTUALLY driving...100%!

Turn off your ABS, TCS, ECS when you drive then.

[Sly Blade]

(Original post by Danen)
Whats there to elaborate? Automatics are more expensive, need more maintainance, are heavier and use more fuel than manuals.

I am now very confused, I asked you to elaborate because you claimed James82, when he listed reasons MANUAL was better, was wrong. And now you seem to be agreeing with him.

[py0alb]

If obvious that good drivers prefer automatic and automatic transmission makes for better control and precision.

Thats why both F1 and rally cars come with automatic transition.

Oh wait...

[Sly Blade]

(Original post by mikeyd85)
Turn off your ABS, TCS, ECS when you drive then.

That has made me feel really bad . My Motorbike admittedly rather than a car, has none of those... Though my Mums car doesn't have any of them either. Though I don't know what ECS is.

[mikeyd85]

(Original post by Sly Blade)
That has made me feel really bad . My Motorbike admittedly rather than a car, has none of those... Though my Mums car doesn't have any of them either. Though I don't know what ECS is.

I wouldn't worry - so long as you understand progressive throttle and braking then it's not really needed.

ECS basically applies the brake to individual wheels on a car to stop sliding.

[R92]

(Original post by NYU2012)
Wow, thanks for this absolutely great post.

Let me guess, all of the Bugattis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and so on that come only as automatic or semi-automatic aren't cars that you really drive, right?

The Bugatti is automatic, but the Ferrari F430, 458 and 360 are semi-auto. The only difference between semi-auto and manual is that the clutch movement is controlled by the car, the driver still has full control over the gear changes. Which is the beauty of manual, you have so much more control in a manual or semi-auto that an auto. The key reason that F1 and the veyron are not semi or manual is because of the power outputs. The Lamborghini Gallardo is also semi-auto or manual (depending on version). So, really the OP is correct about car control, anyone who has ever raced a high end car will agree that semi-auto is the way to go.

Is you would like to argue about the mechanics of semi-auto v full auto I would happy to discuss it with you, but I have raced a F430 and a Gallardo, so I know exactly the way the gearbox works. Basically semi-auto is all the control of a manual, but with lightening fast gear changes!

[talon1579]

(Original post by Saif95)
Are they that lazy that they all drive automatic? pffft

I mean how boring are automatic cars? All you do is accelerate and brake...and the car does the rest...you only drive 50% while in a manual you are ACTUALLY driving...100%!

I find it funny that european young girls and old women can drive manual while the big fat stropping north american 'manly' men are struggling with automatic lol.

They always have excuses and arguments but ultimately what it boils down to is they are lazy and they resort to 'driving' go-karts.

See, most of my family are American and when they hear about the manual transmission they start acting like Patrick star from spongebob like 'DUUUH HUYYYY DUHHHH THATS SO HAAAARD'
(hmmph not as hard as that thing you like that's on the midpoint of a male human body though huuh...otherwise they would't complain!!)

I am like are you people stupid? And I tell them the things I wrote above AND MORE!! Like with a manual you have more control..and basically it is actually driving!! And obviously it is hard at first! But with everything, practice makes perfect!

Driving automatics is 'easier' lol...The Americans always want 'easy'...this also explains their burn-out education system. Corrupt and a half that country is, corrupt and a half.

Manual? Pah, manuals are easy. This is REAL driving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMGK1L7VN1U

[James82]

(Original post by AbuAK)
Because for everyday driving its just easier and simpler, and simply, why not?
I enjoy driving my dads manual car, but for everyday driving (considering it does snow nearly 8 months a year) with all the hills around here, its just easier to drive an automatic.

The manual will be so much easier to control at low speeds in snow and ice.

(Original post by AbuAK)
Also with the stride in automatic transmissions these days, automatics shift faster than most people can in manuals, deliver same performance and better fuel economy with 8 speed automatics coming out nowadays.

Simply not true. I'll give you that a DSG gearbox will shift faster, but a traditional automatic box, which is what is still used in the vast majority of automatic cars will not change gears faster than a human.

Find me a single car where the automatic version outperforms a manual variant in 0-60 or for top speed.

Again, find me a single car where the automatic version has a better fuel consumption than a manual. If you want me to go into the technical details of torque slip and why it is impossible for an automatic box to be more efficient than a manual, just let me know.

[James82]

(Original post by NYU2012)
You clearly aren't up-to-date on your car technology.

Due to the fast response time and intelligence of automatic transmissions, they make shifting more efficient - especially with the new 7 and 8 speed transmissions, they improve gas mileage.

And, of course, CVT transmissions are, in many cases, better than manuals.

A clutch is 100% efficient at transferring torque from the engine to the drive/output shaft, unless they've come up with a way of making automatic gearboxes more than 100% efficient at transferring torque then a manual will always be at least as efficient as an auto.

Don't even get me started on CVTs.

[Texan88]

(Original post by Architecture-er)
I love how he either concedes points or pulls out a really high spec car as a counter-argument..



Oh and people saying that automatics change gear faster than a manual, I'd seriously contend that.

I can change gear in the same time as it takes to say "gear" - and I can do it whenever I want to. If you wanted to change gear in an automatic (for overtaking perhaps) you'd have to factor in the time you take accelerating as part of the duration of the gear change.

The reason I say they change faster than then say a high end car is because they are indeed a car. As time goes on this tech usually trickles down into normal and cheaper cars. Double clutch used to be a strictly porsche and audi race car trans. Then they put it into the golf r32. Now you can get them in any golf.

You may change gears fast. But you have to factor in the time to think to change, the action of pressing in the clutch, the actual moving of the lever and the releasing of the clutch while getting onto the gas. Don't get me wrong here changing in a manual can be done extremely fast. However, there is always going to be a faster automatic/ semi auto transmission. It's why drag cars use automatic transmissions as they shift much faster in a straight line.

Now when it comes to corners auto's are complete garbage, but in the right car you can still choose when to shift.

In the end though I hate driving an auto, I am actually going to be swapping the engine in my car just so I can have an excuse to swap a manual into it.